Ireland is bracing itself for another battering from the Atlantic as the country goes on orange alert for Storm Ruth.

National weather service Met Eireann has warned the nation to batten down the hatches ahead of 70 MPH winds.

Heavy and prolonged rain showers are also forecast for the weekend as parts of the country attempt to recover from heavy flooding.

Met Eireann has issued a status orange weather warning, the highest possible, for counties in Munster along with Wexford and Galway.

A status yellow weather warning is also in place for counties Dublin, Louth, Wicklow and Meath according to the Irish Independent.

Heavy rain and storm force winds lashed Ireland on Friday night in the south west of the country which has been hit by heavy rain all week.

Further rain overnight has resulted in flooding from swollen rivers in the south.

The report says a potentially devastating series of major storms are brewing in the Atlantic and lining up to lash Ireland next week.

The paper says the first storm will bring torrential rain and gale force winds on Tuesday and will continue to batter the country until Friday.

After nine weeks of torrential rain, Met Eireann is warning of more Atlantic super-storms,

Forecaster Ger Fleming of Met Eireann told the Irish Independent that the low pressure system that brought rains, first to Munster and then most of the country will sit over the country until Sunday.

He said: “It will generate intense showers and downpours throughout the weekend.

“From 6pm Friday to 6pm on Sunday we would anticipate that, especially Munster, will get 40 to 50mm of rain. Munster is the area which will get the worst of it.”

The weather service also says the flooding threat is focused on Irish rivers with the Shannon, Nore, Blackwater, Suir, Barrow and Slaney worst affected.

Emergency services say the river systems, already at tipping point, are the focus this weekend as smaller faster running streams and rivers could claim lives.

They warned that though the rivers can ‘clear’ quickly, they can become raging torrents within 30 minutes after a localised deluge.

Clare County Council confirmed to the Irish Independent that river systems throughout the county are ‘very elevated’ and have warned that significant areas will be flooded.

A spokesman said: “Areas in South East Clare which are in the zone of influence of the River Shannon are particularly vulnerable. People in all areas which have previously flooded should be vigilant and should take appropriate precautions.

“The council is closely monitoring the situation particularly in South East Clare and Ennis.”